Anne Arundel County Public Schools, MD Teen Talk, 6 Apr 2023

Previous Meeting Next Meeting

⏯

youtube image

►

From YouTube: Teen Talk Student Leadership

Description

On this episode of Teen Talk, Camryn talks to student members of the board candidates, SGA presidents, and highlights the MASC convention in Ocean City! Stay tuned for this episode on student leadership.

2023-2024 Student Member of the Board Election events includes: Virtual Candidate Town Hall on April 12th @ 6:30, Voter Registration closes on April 17th @ 8:00 PM, In-Person Debtate on April 18th @ 6:30. Virtual Candidate Town Hall on Apri 24th @ 6:30, and the Student Member of the Board Elections on April 27th.

A

Hey there acps, my name is Cameron and welcome to teen talk. This is a show for students by students, and today's episode is about something very near and dear to my heart, student leadership.

A

Today we will be talking to students who are involved in leadership in their schools, their County and even Statewide. There are so many different ways to get involved in student leadership. Earlier this year we highlighted service and the amazing student service leadership team. There are also many different clubs and organizations within your individual middle and high schools, one of which being student government associations also known as SGA. Earlier this month, I met with some incredible SGA presidents to talk about their experiences, working with a team to create magical moments in their schools.

A

Let's take a look at what they had to say. Why.

B

Did you choose to get involved in your school's SDA so.

C

I chose to get involved in SGA, because I wanted to be more involved in my school in general after freshman year and then going into virtual learning.

C

um I already wasn't that involved with school, so I was looking forward to getting more involved and with my school being new, and so many clubs, starting up including SGA I, really wanted to be a part of building those clubs, especially SGA. So it was a really great opportunity for me to get involved and have such an active role in making our SGA look like what it does today. I.

D

Chose to be involved in my school's SGA for similar reasons as holla, we wanted to increase I would to increase my school's Community feeling so having us all feel like a group and everyone having people to rely on within the community and also coming back from virtual learning. We really didn't have many events going, so we wanted to increase School participation and things like homecoming pep rallies and really just have a sense of family again within the school building that was lost during virtual learning.

E

So the story of how I got involved in my school's S2 years was a little bit different. um So sophomore year, which was my virtual year, I took up crochet and um I noticed that my school had a crochet club and I really wanted to join the crochet Club, because I was like. Oh my God. These people, crochet, like I, want to be part of that. So I went on my school's website and I tried to join using the link, but the link didn't work and it was like a Tuesday morning.

E

I remember and I was like. Oh my God. The link isn't working, but I still wanted something to do with my time. So I kept scrolling through the list of clubs and I came across SGA and I kind of just like clicked. The link to join the me and I was like Hey guys.

E

My name is ishika I'm a sophomore, and this is my first meeting I hope I'm, not bothering anyone, but then the rest is history because, like I got more involved and I was able to help out with the events that they were putting together and I just met all these amazing people, and that really just motivated me to stay involved.

E

B

Actually, like so funny, that's so Random honestly. What is your favorite part about being a leader in your community so.

C

My favorite part about being a leader is all the things that I got to learn. I feel like when you're in a leadership position, especially for the first time. You learn a lot and I learned a lot about myself, my own characteristics and my own potentials, and also the characteristics needed by a leader, and it also gave me the skill to be able to evaluate in myself, if I'm being a good leader and also evaluate others and if they're being a good leader and what I can take from their leadership style.

D

My favorite part about being a leader in my community is honestly the relationships you make with those around you so every day, you're talking to somebody new every day, you're communicating with more people, learning their life stories and you're learning how you can help them, but you meet so many people that you would never have like had those relationships with if you weren't to be a leader and reach out to them um and I think everyone can gain something from making a new friend. So yeah.

E

So my favorite part of being a leader is just being able to grow as a person and realizing that I have the skills to accomplish all these different things, because, since I've like assumed, the role of being a leader in my SGA I've, definitely been able to improve my speaking skills. My personal skills communication, everything like that and just meet people from all across the school and being able to work with them to put together like everything that we do and that's one of my favorite parts. That is so.

B

Great um sorry,.

A

B

Like don't know what to say to get the camera to flip over to me because I don't have to repeat the question anyway,.

F

B

Is a project or event you and your team have worked on that stands out to you a.

C

Project or event that stood out to me, the most this year was probably just the homecoming season as a whole um because of virtual learning and the pandemic and our school being new. We had our first ever homecoming dance this year and an actual real whole homecoming season with the dance and all the football games, and it was just the most normal high school experience that I think we could give and pull off so I'm so proud of us for doing that, because it was also our first time doing it.

C

So we definitely learned a lot uh things to improve on and things that we liked. um The most like notable thing from the homecoming season, I would say specifically was the parade that we did. I was so surprised that after all the planning, so many people came and showed up, and it was a really good time so I'm really proud of that and I'm really proud of the SGA for coming so far, a.

D

Project or event um that stands out to me is the same thing as holla out honestly, home killing and pep rally um our school through what our school has been through a lot of transfers and changes and we're getting a new school right now, so the school's under construction. We honestly have not had a homecoming dance as well in like four years.

D

um It was my freshman year well, not four years, but it's been a while, and so we were really excited to have that again and bring the whole whole homecoming season um and we had great turnout for Spirit Week I love spirit week. I go full out on spirit week, I love it so much, um but we were able to give prizes every day for people to participated, um say their names on the announcements, everything like that it was so fun and honestly just bringing school spirit back and more passionate than ever.

D

um Our boys basketball team. We went to States this year um and though we lost in the finals, we made it super far and our student council is making sure people were able to get there um to support our team and buy pom poms to cheer them on and really just knowing that it's a mead family, not just you know, one organization we're all there for each other um and supporting our school. So yeah.

E

So a project that we worked on this year that stood out to me has also been homecoming, because it is the first time that I, as president, have been able to like head uh homecoming dances because they haven't done one since my freshman year either and I wasn't involved in SGA at the time. So I had kind of no idea what I was doing and neither did any of the exact team because they're all lower class men.

E

So um it was really just a game of like figuring things out and trying to coordinate with our advisor and how we can put this together. But in the end it all came together because we were able to have a pep rally and we had like DJs and performances and dances and band and music and everything and I think the students really had fun and the dance itself as well really just came together. We had a huge huge turnout and everyone had like good comments for it and then another.

E

uh Just like add on to like the dance aspect. uh So this year we actually went through like a transition with our Administration. We got a new principal in the middle of the year, so uh we had to learn to adjust to work working with him now, instead of our old one, and he wanted us to put together a winter dance and we were like oh my God.

E

This came out of nowhere and he's like no, you guys have to do it like you know, we're gonna do this, no matter what so we had to figure out fun and like how we're gonna coordinate the whole dance, so I'm really proud of us for getting that together as well. Why.

A

Is it important for others to get involved in your school's SGA.

C

I believe that it's important for others to get involved in SGA because number one it gives you real life, Leadership experience and that's really important, because everyone's going to be a leader at least once in their life, and they know they should know how to do it and how to have and retain that leadership mindset.

C

Another reason is because you can do what you want and you can advocate for what you believe that you want for yourself and for your peers.

C

um So many people have come to our general assemblies with ideas, and so many people have come to me and other people in the SGA and we were able to implement a lot of those ideas and make a lot of people happy. So if you want to see a change, then you need to get involved in SGA and I highly encourage that, because you can make that change happen. If you work hard and if it goes through the right channels,.

D

um It's important for others to get involved in your school's essay um honestly again for the relationships you make. You know also. You know people who are on your side who you can work with, who have great leadership skills as well, but you also know what steps to take when you want to make a change and you're building the next.

D

You know step of leaders, the people who will come behind you and make those changes and the people that you can go in 10 years and be like oh I, actually remember that and I know somebody who can do this. You know it's all about making those connections and you see direct change in your high school experience or college experience. These things you're supposed to have fun and enjoy at, but you can actually see changes being made because of your actions or because of what you believe and what what you want to work with.

D

So on any step, wherever you may be a high school, you know college anything, there's always ways to get involved and make those changes you want to see. You can't stay back on the sidelines. Sometimes sometimes you have to really push it yourself, because you're, the one who believes in your cause the most.

E

I think it's important for people to get involved in their school's SGA, because it really is an Avenue for you to voice your opinion for you to talk about what you're passionate about bring your ideas to the table and actually see those ideas implemented. And if that's something you really want to see happen within your school, then SGA is like the perfect way for you to get involved. You learn all sorts of leadership skills.

E

You have the opportunity to really grow as a person and meet all these different people who are passionate about leadership as well, and you basically just like form a community for yourself of passionate leaders that you can share opinions with share your ideas and interact with and I think it is really important to get involved.

A

Thank you so much to the amazing SGA presidents from Mead Glen Burnie and my home school of Crofton high. If you're looking to get involved in leadership on a larger scale, masc might be the place for you. The Maryland Association of student councils, also known as MUSC or mask, hosted their first in-person convention since 2019, starting on March 22nd. This year, I was lucky enough to get to attend this incredible three-day event in Ocean City Maryland with members of my own SGA, as well as our incredible Anne Arundel County Regional, Association krask.

A

During this event, we got to participate in workshops, hear from amazing guest speakers, as well as the current masc officer team, elect new officers that even enjoy some downtime on the beach enjoy. Some footage from this awesome event and stay tuned for some words from our 2023 to 2024 smob candidates. After this, so we are about an hour away from MUSC convention. Is this the first time you've ever been to an in-person convention like this?

A

Yes, it's my first time, I think that a lot of people on this bus I think would you say we have about 30, kids, I, think so I think I feel like we have more. We have a lot of kids on this bus. I think this is everyone's first time. This is my first time too. Can you tell us what we've been up to since we got on the bus this afternoon? So.

G

There's been a lot of screaming and chanting and we've come up with our chant for when they do roll call, so that's going to be a fun little surprise, we're kind of still working it out um and yeah. It's a lot of good conversation and a lot of high energy High Spirit. It's awesome! Hi we made.

A

It to our hotel room I'm here with my amazing crafting crew, Mara and holla.

A

All right so day, Wanda convention is over. How do we feel Crofton Crow so.

B

A

It was so fun, I love our guest speaker right, yes, she's! So awesome. We can't wait for day two I'm here with my good friend Michelle from Cross Michelle. Is this your first time at convention? Yes, it is. How excited are you on a scale from 1 to 53.

H

um I'm 54.: this is pretty exciting. Like you get this beach view, which is like pretty nice, we get this nice hotel and there's like students from all the around Maryland. So it's pretty fun so.

A

We had our first round of workshops last night. How much fun was that? How do you think it went? Are you excited for today's workshops? I'm.

H

Excited for today's Workshop yesterday I went to a workshop that had musical chairs, which was really fun and they had candy and prizes and we got to learn about different ways to have events during SGA. So it was pretty cool. What.

A

Are you most looking forward to today, I.

H

Am looking forward to speech and debate and Q a and looking at all the candidates, good luck to all the Mas and candidates and yeah and having fun too okay.

A

So now I'm here with indu the craft VP into we are about halfway.

I

Through the day, how are you feeling so far, I'm loving it like just so wonderful conference I got to meet somebody different people definitely did some Outreach and got to worry about lots of different things.

A

What has been your absolute favorite part of convention right now.

I

Everyone is like in those rooms and we're all chanting our vision, especially crafts like go cross. We love our crafts. um Definitely our Channel, a camera when you're on stage Ninja's.

A

Lying, don't listen.

I

To her, no, you did great.

A

um We're about to CT streets, who is the amazing featured speaker? Are you so excited? What did you think of her presentation? The other night.

I

She was like you know, reaching out to all students. She wasn't really focusing on one group. It was everyone. I just said, she's, amazing. It's.

A

Our last night here at convention and guys it's gorgeous out here, I'm here with some of my crafting crew. How are we feeling on the last night of convention, guys.

H

I'm believing are.

A

We ready for a really fun night of activities: yeah yeah.

A

Hard enough to go again next year, if you could.

G

Definitely go next year if I could but I can't because I'm a senior.

A

So we are senior if.

G

I was a freshman and I always freshman year and I did this. I would go every year from now on. So.

I

A

You so much to wash County for hosting this, and thank you so much to masc. This was both of our first in-person convention like this, and it was insane we'll see you guys soon. On teen talk, I'm gonna give a very special thank you to the entire Masa team for putting on such an incredible event. You and your SGA can attend. Convention next year, make sure to look out for masc member school registration. This fall today, I'm very excited to sit down with your three 20 23 to 2024 student member of the board.

A

Finalists a few months ago, the Teen Talk team and I spoke to former smobs, including the Incredible Dr Anthony Aaron, about this prestigious position, and today I'm joined by the three students who are about to begin their campaigns for the spot. Firstly, I'm joined by indu from Glen Burnie High School, welcome to the team, talk studio and congratulations on your candidacy. Thank you so much I'm so excited to be here. We are so happy to have you so tell me a little bit about yourself and.

J

Do yeah sure so my name is indu I'm, a junior at Glen Burnie, and some of my interests includes, like science, I'm, a huge science nerd. So if anyone loves science, let me know because I got you I, also love baking, cooking I, actually bake my own, my mom's, her own birthday cake. So if you want any sweet treats, let me know Cameron. That's.

A

Amazing and I do want some sweet treats. Can you tell me about one or two clubs and activities you take part.

J

In yeah sure so I'm a part of my school student government, Association I'm, the vice president, and there we do numerous different activities, currently we're organizing our cultural day and cultural night event. So that's been pretty exciting. We also do a lot of like volunteer Works we're doing a reading campaign where we go out to elementary schools and talk to kids, I'm, also part of HOSA, which is basically kind of like FBLA, but for like kids, who are interested in medicine and likes Health Sciences. So that's like we take competitions.

J

We went to Internationals last year, so it's kind of like two of my both favorite things like medicine and also like politics. That's really.

A

Cool and I've known you for a couple years: I know how passionate you are about those things. So I see you like on social media and we talk about it in person. Sometimes that is so so cool. Thank you. What is something you have done either inside of school or outside that you are really proud of. Thank.

J

You for the question. um So in freshman year we were learning about food insecurities and my social issues us- and that was just something that really hit close to me because it's like I, know the privilege. Some of us have for just having a meal on the table so inspired by that I collaborated with TCP, like it's, a local non-profit and also my school's environmental Club, to start an initiative to create food Gardens throughout my school.

J

So students who are maybe have like you know not as privileged have access to good, nutritious food, and it's also a great way to like just you know: a fun outlet for students to get engaged in service, work and I. Think the coolest thing about this. It wasn't just like me doing it, but it was like our whole group, so everyone got involved, and that was just so special to me. That sounds.

A

Amazing that is really just such an incredible project. So earlier we talked about convention that was hosted this year in Ocean City Maryland. If you could pick any location in the state of Maryland to host the next convention, where would you choose and why so.

J

Convention is so much fun, but unfortunately not everyone is able to participate, because it's so far out I know for us. We had quite a bit of a drive, but it's even worse for some counties, so I would definitely say somewhere Central in Maryland, so like some that were like Baltimore, City, Baltimore or even Annapolis. That is the capital of our state. Great state, so I would definitely have something that's Central, so everyone can come, and it's not too far for some people and too short for others, that bus ride.

A

J

We had some footage.

A

Of holla and I just kind of done, yeah so done it was so fun, though so getting a little bit back to the position. What does the position and title of student member of the board mean to you? Well.

J

I just think it's such a huge honor and like the idea of just representing students. It just brings me so much joy and like even like I can speak for all the candidates. That were that's our that's that's what we're really excited to do. It's like be bringing those student voices to the diets where, like all these choices are making are being made for them, so I think just being able to represent my peers. That just brings me so much like happiness and I feel like I'm contributing my part to my community and my peers.

J

It's like that's just that's what it really means to me.

A

That's amazing: that's a really beautiful statement. What is something that you want students watching at home right now to know about you well.

J

I I think this applies to all the candidates, but we're really here for the students we're here for our peers and even winner loses election. We will always fight for your rights and your ability to like truly enjoy school and like making sure that there's Equity within education that you're feeling safe and this fight will never be over and we're always going to be working for you. That.

A

Was wonderful, thank you so much, and do it congratulations once again and good luck. Thank you. So much Cameron.

J

You're, like amazing, thank you, you're amazing.

A

Foreign now I'm joined by Eric from Sabrina Park air. Congratulations on your candidacy! How are you feeling today thank.

K

You Cameron I'm doing well, thank you for inviting me into your studio today of.

A

Course we are very happy to have you here. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself sure.

K

So um I'm a junior at sort of Park, High, School I'm, very passionate about getting students involved in Civic engagement, especially at the local level.

K

um When I'm, not you know, doing Student Government stuff I really enjoy going on long walks riding my bike and just hanging out with my friends and family. That's.

A

So fun I love a little bit of Outdoors time and some family time. Can you tell me about one or two clubs or activities you take part in sure.

K

um So I'm really involved in my school's SGA and I'm, also a part of our class Council I, just really love planning, Spirit, uh Day events, you know getting the school Community together, getting students together, doing fun activities, I'm, always down for a fun Spirit theme.

A

Absolutely me too I love Steward week. It's one of my favorite weeks of the year Adam Sandler day.

K

Yes, yes, we did that actually at our school just recently.

A

It's my favorite day of the year honestly. What is something you've done, either in school or outside of school, that you are really proud of.

K

um So in Severna, Park, uh suicide and mental health awareness is something that we as a school Community has been trying to bring awareness to and destigmatize in the last few years, and so last year, as an SGA officer, I had the opportunity um to co-lead our first ever Mental Health Awareness Week with one of our senior student leaders, and that was super awesome. We got the whole school Community together we did a walk at the end of the week. It was awesome, it was a.

K

It was a great opportunity for our community to come together and show students that they're not alone and that there's someone there with them and this year I had the opportunity to chair our school's mental health committee and run our second annual mental health matters week with a bunch of our SGA leaders. We, you know amped it up. Really. We did a bunch of new activities, we had baking events after school and then again we had the walk on Saturday, where we actually had a local organization.

K

Burgers and bands come out, which is a suicide awareness organization. It was just a really again wholesome time for the community to come together and for us to be able to destigmatize mental health and make it something that is able to be talked about. That's.

A

A really incredible cause and I followed that uh that event on social media for many years, so it's very great to hear that people are really getting involved and invested in that it's such an important cause. So Switching gears a little bit earlier. We talked about MSC convention and how much fun it was in Ocean City this year. If you could pick any location in the state of Maryland for the next year's convention to be hosted at where would you choose okay,.

K

So I don't know if there's anything that can top off Ocean City I mean for me skipping or leaving school for three days to go to Ocean city is pretty awesome, but if I had to choose I think I would go with Deep. Creek um I think that it's a super relaxing place. I love, you know water, I love, you know the nature and all that kind of stuff, so I think I would go with that. That.

A

Sounds like a lot of fun, I hope that happens in the next couple years. So talking a little bit more about the position getting a little more serious here. What does this position and title of student member of the board mean to you sure.

K

um So, for those who don't know um our student member of the board is the only member, um a student member of a board of education in the entire nation that has full voting rights. So it's a privilege and also it's a privilege to be able to have that and so I take that um really seriously and with that.

K

um I definitely think that, even though my title is student, member of the board I'm representing all of our community stakeholders, our teachers, our administrators, our parents and, of course, students as well and so I look forward to taking, in all those all of those perspectives and making decisions for our school system to better our school system. If elected, absolutely.

A

And, as we say in Christ, peace, love and full voting rights, absolutely uh one more thing before you go. What is something you students watching at home right now to know about you.

K

um So I want them to know that I'm always here to listen um I'm one of those I consider myself to be a very approachable outgoing person, and so with that you know I, as the student member of the board, like even as a candidate I, want to make it as easy as possible for students to reach out to me with any concerns or questions that they have so any students that are watching if you ever have any questions about my platform once that is you know out and about, or you just have any general concerns that you'd like to share.

K

Please feel free to email. Me DM me. Whatever is easiest for you, because I definitely love to hear from you. That's.

A

Awesome. Thank you once again for joining us and congratulations and good luck with your candidates.

K

Thank you, Cameron. Thank you.

A

And now for our last student member of the board candidate joining us virtually is Taryn from Annapolis High Taryn. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself.

F

uh Well, hi to all the students there I'm Karen Reinhart I'm, a junior at Annapolis, High School, uh some of my interests and stuff I like to do I love the run I'm on the cross country. In fact, in Minneapolis and I love being involved with, like the unified programs at my school as well, which I do like through Best Buddies next year. Can.

B

You tell me about one or two clubs and activities you take part in School.

F

um As I previously said, I'm involved in best buddies, as well as the Polar Bear, Plunge and I. Those are both things that take a lot of Pride being involved in and, for example, after a campaign like, after a campaign of knocking on doors, flash I race, I race, I, ranked nine from the state for the most money raised for the 2023 Polar Bear Plunge, just because I'm really passionate about it, because it's a great cause. What.

B

Is something that you've done either inside of school or outside of school, that you are really proud of.

F

So last year, I advocated for students with disabilities by testifying in front of the Maryland Senate and working with State delegates on a Senate bill. It was empowering to experience my voice being heard and having an impact on a cause, I'm passionate about. So that was a really cool experience for me that.

B

Sounds so awesome that sounds like such an amazing experience.

A

This year, the masc convention, this awesome, Third Day event, was held in Ocean City. It's super fun. If you were able to choose a location anywhere in Maryland for next year's convention to be held. Where would you choose and why.

F

I think I think having a massive convention in National Harbor would be so much fun because it kind of has a similar Vibe which just offers, so it offers great opportunities like team building and like productive policy writing, but also just tons of fun for the students going switching.

B

More to talking about the position itself, with just the position and title of student member of the board mean to you so.

F

To me, being student member of the board means that I personally I would have the privilege of giving all students an Anne, Arundel County Public Schools um an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging every day when they walk into the building.

A

That is so awesome and one last thing before we go. What is something that you want the students watching at home right now to know about you.

F

um Well, I'm, a military child from a multi-ethnicity family and a sister with special needs, so I understand the importance of having a sense of belonging, as I said earlier, and if elected I think this I'll work every day for you to make sure to create that sense of belonging in every single school in Anne, Arundel, County.

A

I want to thank every single student leader, who was a part of this episode and every student watching at home, who works hard to make a difference in their own school or Community. You will have the chance to vote for your next student member of the board later this month. Keep your eyes out for more information on the acps website, as well as the cross Instagram for opportunities to learn more about the candidates who are running to represent you as always. Thank you. So much for watching I'll see you guys soon on Teen Talk.

A

Thank you, foreign.